As a seasoned cruise traveler, I know what to expect on the cruise experience. Regardless of cruise line or destination, ships run much the same way. On my last trip, celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday, we met several first time cruisers who didn’t know what to expect.
So, here are:
5 More First Time Cruise Tips
1. You do not have to do everything together!
Your cruise staff will offer a wide variety of activities, from pool games to trivia contests, from dance lessons to shopping advice. Choose the activities that interest you. You’ll meet other people who enjoy the same thing. It’s okay to go your separate ways now and then. Just agree when and where you’ll meet to enjoy shared activities and/or meals.
2. Room service is included in the price of your cruise.
I know…. not at all like a traditional hotel! Cool, eh? My mom and I enjoyed having coffee delivered to our cabin as we prepared for the day. Also, since we had late dining (8:30 p.m.), we had snacks delivered to our cabin late afternoon as we prepared for the evening activities. NOTE: There may be a surcharge for room service during the overnight hours. Call room service from your cabin phone if you have any questions.
3. Bring a lightweight bag with essential supplies for embarkation and disembarkation day.
On arrival, your luggage is not available the first several hours. Likewise, you must pack your luggage and set it outside your cabin the night before disembarkation. Carry a lightweight bag with sunscreen, swimsuit, medication, valuables and essential papers for the first day. Going home, use it to pack your medication, pajamas, and fragile souvenirs.
For more on what to pack for a cruise, check out our cruise packing tips with free printable cruise packing list.
4. Take advantage of spa specials.
Cruises are all about relaxing, right? On embarkation day travelers are busy acclimating themselves with the ship and unpacking so spas tend to offer great deals for same day services. On our cruise, the spa offered a “travelers’ tension” special, $80 for full massage and mini facial. What a great way to start the trip! (It’s okay to ask for specials. If they don’t have one, you can walk away!)
5. You do not have to eat in the dining room.
Most ships offer a buffet restaurant that provides long breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. It’s convenient… but it’s also crowded. You can get your meal and eat at tables by the pool or take your meal back to your room…. whatever you want! Enjoy your dinner without the crowd — and yes, you CAN go back for more. You can even go to get a drink or a snack during open hours. This is your cruise. Enjoy the amenities the way you want them!
And a bonus tip!!!
When booking your cruise, whether through a travel agent or directly through the cruise line, find out what is located above and below your cabin! An inexpensive cabin above the engine room will be noisier than a slightly more expensive cabin down the hall. A cabin located under the late night entertaining venues will have more late night noise than a cabin sandwiched between other cabins or below the dining room. Similarly, consider whether the convenience of being close to the elevator (less walking) is worth the trade-off of more noise late evening. That’s a call only you can make.
For more cruising tips, check out these great articles:
What’s your best cruise tip?
Have a tip to share? Please leave a comment! We’d love to learn from you!
Dana says
November 13, 2013 at 10:33 pmMy tip…..Don’t have so much fun on the cruise that you forget to empty the safe in your room upon leaving!! This happened to me recently But after contacting Carnival they informed me the safes are released at the end of the cruise and the stateroom stewards turn items in to lost and found….A month after our cruise we just received our passports that were left in the safe, arrived in the mail!!! Thank Goodness!!
Karen Dawkins says
November 14, 2013 at 8:29 amOh my!!!! I had to take my wedding ring off after the bee sting. I put it in our stateroom safe and told my mom about 1,000 times — “Do not let me forget to empty the safe!” Here’s a tip: Put your car keys in the safe, too. You won’t get too far from the ship before you remember. 🙂
We need to go on a girls’ cruise sometime. I think we’d have a BLAST!
Sarah says
November 13, 2013 at 9:24 pmGreat tips! I had no idea room service was included. I would totally be soaking that up. 😉
Sounds like so much fun! Much more fun then “cruise” while in the Navy. 😉
Karen Dawkins says
November 14, 2013 at 8:27 amI didn’t know that about room service until this cruise! It IS wonderful. We had choppy seas the first two days — I thought of you as I staggered down the hall and wondered if the Navy ships feel the pitch as much.
Susan says
November 12, 2013 at 8:45 pmThis post makes me want to take a cruise now. Thanks for the tips! I’m ready to go.
Oh, I like your photo too. Very inviting.
Karen Dawkins says
November 14, 2013 at 8:26 amThanks for the compliment on the photo. Of course, it’s hard to mess up brilliant blue seas and a floating ship! Perfect weather for that shot. 🙂
Pamela R says
November 12, 2013 at 8:13 pmSuper tips —I hope to put to use one of these days =)
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 8:30 pmI hope you get to use them too. Make a travel savings plan, even a few dollars a week, and you’ll be basking in the sun poolside before you know it.
Corinne says
November 12, 2013 at 7:51 pmYour bonus tip is the best one! We always assumed the cheaper rooms were priced that way because they were farther from the stairs and elevators. It never occurred to me that they might also be inconvenient for other reasons (such as noise). My tip for first time cruisers is to be aware that most cruise lines will not allow you to bring hair styling tools like curling irons and hair dryers. Every time we have cruised there is a large pile of these confiscated items.
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 8:29 pmCorinne,
I knew irons were not allowed (or coffee pots), but I’ve always carried my curling iron and/or flat iron and my blow dryer on my cruises. I’ll look into that further and find out why some are not allowed.
Thanks for the compliment on the bonus tip.
Erin P. says
November 12, 2013 at 2:25 pmI am going to share this with my dad. He is going on his first cruise next year and isn’t to sure how to go about it and what’s best. Thank you.
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 2:29 pmErin,
How exciting! If your dad has any questions, I’d be happy to help. Just pass my email address along.
Karen
Lexie Lane says
November 12, 2013 at 1:29 pmThese are great tips. I know the first time I went on a cruise it took me at least half the time to find these things out. These should be on their brochures! lol!
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 1:53 pmAt least you have me!!! 🙂
Sofia says
November 12, 2013 at 1:03 pmI really want to go on a cruise!! It is good to know that room service is included! 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 1:53 pmIt’s really fun having coffee delivered to the cabin each morning!
Patricia says
November 12, 2013 at 10:47 amWow! I have never been in a cruise so these tips are really valuable to me. Sounds like a fun and very relaxing way to spend vacation… Gosh- looks like I’ll be checking cruises now 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 11:53 amIt’s a great way to travel. Rates are cheaper for Nov-January cruises (other than Thanksgiving week, Christmas and New Years, of course). When you break down the cost per day per person, cruises can be a great value vacation. If you have questions, please ask. I’d be happy to help you out.
valerie presley says
November 12, 2013 at 10:12 amThanks for the tips! I few things you would not know to plan for on a cruise!
Karen Dawkins says
November 12, 2013 at 10:16 amYou’re very welcome! Let me know when you are ready to cruise!!! I’ll help you out. 🙂